Portuguese

Bem-vindo!

Why Study Portuguese?

Portuguese is a language widely spoken on all continents and in many countries. It is used by approximately 200 million people as a native language, a language of instruction, and/or an official language.

It is one of the languages of diplomacy at the United Nations and other important international organizations such as the European Union. Learning Portuguese can therefore potentially improve one’s marketability and afford one access to an international community and education.

Moreover, in Trinidad and Tobago, there are approximately 600 Portuguese nationals and still others continue to migrate each year. Learning Portuguese can thus potentially expand one’s social circles and open the door to an array of new cultural experiences (cuisine, music, literature, philosophy) and destinations.

Delivery

Classes are conducted as far as possible in the target language to give students maximum exposure to the new language and culture. During the course, students develop an ability to communicate in Portuguese in situations relating to their personal lives.

In addition, students are expected to spend time on self-study preparing for classes and reviewing and consolidating work done in class. Students are also encouraged to develop a repertoire of strategies to promote their autonomy as language learners. At each level, 100% in-course testing is the form of assessment.

Course Overview

Portuguese is offered at three levels (subject to demand):

Level 1 (A & B) – Beginner

Level 2 (A & B) – Lower Intermediate

Level 3 (A & B) – Intermediate

Portuguese 1A

Portuguese 1B

Portuguese 2A

Portuguese 2B

Portuguese 3A

Portuguese 3B

Portuguese 1A

Portuguese 1A is a beginners' Portuguese course that introduces students to the Portuguese language and to some of its cultural aspects. By focusing on the four basic skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing), students will develop an initial ability to communicate in Portuguese in basic situations relating to their personal lives. Students will be introduced to the concept of learner autonomy in language learning.

Portuguese 1B

Portuguese 1B is a beginners' Portuguese course that builds on the work done in Portuguese 1A. By focusing on the four basic skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing), students will enhance their ability to communicate in the Portuguese in situations relating to themselves and areas of immediate relevance. Students will continue to develop their autonomy in language learning.

Portuguese 2A

Portuguese 2A is a lower-intermediate course that builds on the work done in Portuguese 1B. Students will be able to function increasingly independently in all four skill-areas in familiar situations and topics.

Portuguese 2B

Portuguese 2B is a lower-intermediate course that builds on the work done in Portuguese 2A. Students will be able to function more independently in a variety of familiar situations and topics in all four skill-areas.

Portuguese 3B

Portuguese 3A is an intermediate course that builds on the work done in Portuguese 2B. Students will start showing a degree of fluency in the four different skills. Students will demonstrate more of the behaviours and attitudes of independent learners.

Portuguese 3B

Portuguese 3B is an intermediate course that builds on the work done in Portuguese 3A. Students will be able to demonstrate increased ease when interacting whether orally or in writing. Students will demonstrate more of the behaviours and attitudes of independent learners.

Schedule

There are 52-contact hours per semester. Classes meet for four 50-minute sessions per week, with classes beginning on the hour and ending ten minutes before the hour (e.g. 11:00 to 11:50).